Woodstock Rolls Out Welcome For Hurricane Irma Evacuees

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The famous dirt track located in Woodstock is opening its doors to those residents who have been forced to evacuate due to Hurricane Irma bearing down on south Florida. In a message posted Friday on its Facebook page, Dixie Speedway said it's extending an invitation to Florida residents to join them for Saturday's USCS Outlaw Sprint Cars.

Residents can go to the Dixie Speedway Will Call ticket booth, which is located at the main entrance gate, show their valid state I.D. and receive a complimentary grandstand ticket, the venue said.

"We can’t imagine how hard it’s been for those who have had to leave their homes," said Mickey Swims, Dixie Speedway’s owner. "We have been praying for all the families affected and hope we can help take their mind off the storm by coming to enjoy a night of racing at Dixie.”

Dixie Speedway is located at 150 Dixie Drive, along Highway 92 west of Interstate 575. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

Watch: Florida Braces As Irma Rips Across The Caribbean

In that same vein, the Woodstock Visitor's Center at Dean's Store is also welcoming evacuees into town. Anyone can venture to the center at 8588 Main Street between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, present their valid ID as proof of residency and claim a $10 downtown dollar gift certificate, it said on its Facebook page. This certificate can be used at several downtown businesses and restaurants.

Other local businesses, according to the center, are also offering specials to evacuees, including Ipp's Pastaria & Bar and Reformation Brewery.

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Hurricane Irma is steamrolling toward Florida and expected to hit Georgia as a tropical storm Sunday night. The historic storm's path have crowded highways and hotels from Macon to Atlanta, and long lines have been reported at gas stations as residents heed warnings about the Category 4 storm.

The Savannah area and coastal Georgia are under a mandatory evacuation order. Evacuees can find Red Cross shelters open in Macon or camp at Lake Lanier; gas supplies around the Atlanta area are tight; and tropical storm-force winds are expected to blow into south Georgia by 8 p.m. Sunday and the metro Atlanta area by 8 a.m. Monday.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Irma: NOON UPDATE, FRIDAY Latest Need-To-Know Facts
• Gov. Deal Warns Of 'Extremely Dangerous' Storm
• Southeast Georgia Evacuations Ordered, Red Cross Shelter Locations
• Main Escape Route Cuts Through Georgia
• Hurricane Irma Weakens But Still Threatens Georgia

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